Lip Injections: How Many Syringes Should You Get?

September 12, 2018

For some, lip filler is uncharted territory. Most patients don’t know how much product is in 1 syringe of dermal filler or how much their ‘lip idols’ have received to achieve their lips. Thus, when patients call to schedule appointments or come into the office for their lip injections, they always ask the same question: “how many syringes should I get?”

If you’d like to learn more of the lip injection process, the products used, recovery time, etc., head here.

How Many Syringes of Dermal Filler Do You Need for Lip Injections?

Based on how thin your lips are and how enhanced you want them to be, most patients will do well with 1-2 syringes of dermal filler to get the long term aesthetic goal that they want.

1 syringe has 1.0 cc of dermal filler, so most patients will look great after 1-2 cc of dermal filler. These fillers can last anywhere between 10 to 18 months.

Many patients who want to significantly enhance their lip size with lip filler choose to get about 1 syringe each visit, gradually enhancing the size of their lips over the span of a few months. Others choose to receive multiple syringes in one visit.

Where In Your Lips Do You Get Dermal Filler?

Depending on your current lip shape and anatomy, I inject the upper and lower lips, and make sure to inject the sides of the lips as well as the central portion. Depending on what you want, I can also make your lips protrude more, fix any asymmetry you may have in your lips, give you a “keyhole pout,” enhance your bottom lip, etc. I work with my patients to find out their exact aesthetic goals before their lip injections.

What Are the Measurements that Plastic Surgeons Look For in Beautiful Lips?

The upper lip should be slightly smaller than the lower lip in height, with the ratio of about 1:1.6 being considered the aesthetic ideal. There is individual variation, but overall, your lips should be proportionate to your face, and should protrude with some “pout” but not an excessive amount.

Will Your Lips Look Too Big or Too Small After Your Lip Injections?

Right at the end of your lip injections, your lips will have that overall look and shape long term. However, if your lips do swell over the next day or so, then you may feel that your lips are too big or out of proportion to your face.

Ice, anti inflammatory medications, head elevation, and time will help the swelling to go down. Rest assured that this is temporary.

If you feel that your lips are too small after several days, and there is little to no lip swelling, then you may want to get an additional syringe of dermal filler. It is straightforward to get another syringe for lip injections.

If you feel that your lips are too big, even after your swelling has gone away, then it is always possible to melt your dermal filler with an easy office procedure. I rarely have to do this because I tend to go slow with my patients and stop intermittently to have them look at their lips in order to make sure that this does not happen. However, you can feel confident that any Hyaluronic Acid based dermal filler can be successfully melted with a different injectable given in an office setting.

How Do I Make a Consultation?

Call my office at (415) 362-1846 or email info@drkim.com, and my Patient Care Coordinator will get you started!

If you are uncertain if you are a candidate for dermal filler, ask for my Patient Care Coordinator at info@drkim.com and send in photos of your lips. I can look at your photos and help you determine if you are a good candidate before coming to my office. There is no charge for this service.

Are You on Social Media?

Of course! You can see before and after photos, videos, and get a glimpse into my life as a Plastic Surgeon.